Letters to the editor

Apr 26,2019

Federica Mogherini High representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy and vice president of the European Commission

As we celebrate the first International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace on 24 April, the European Union reaffirms its longstanding commitment to international cooperation and the rules-based international order with the United Nations at its core, to peace and security, to human rights and sustainable development for all.

For the EU, engaging in a multilateral system based on the respect of international law, international cooperation and partnership is a matter of both values and pragmatism, in terms of our regional and global security. This cooperative approach remains the most efficient way to serve our collective interests, as decisions taken in a multilateral framework have proven to be more democratic, inclusive, strong and sustainable.

We are experiencing times of global opportunities and challenges. The progress of technology, science and connectivity opens new horizons, and at the same time, food insecurity, climate change, environmental degradations, complex local and regional conflicts are extending and fundamental human rights are increasingly being violated in too many places in the world. These global issues can be tackled only with effective global solutions as no country can cope on its own.

Together with our partners, we have consistently taken action to maintain and implement major international agreements, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (Jcpoa) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We are delivering on our Paris pledges through ambitious policies at home and decisive support to partner countries, and stand ready for the UN Climate Action Summit in September to confirm and even raise our global ambitions. We are intensifying our cooperation with UN agencies and regional organizations such as the African Union and the League of Arab States to coordinate more on peacekeeping, conflict resolution, humanitarian aid delivery and better migration management in Syria, Yemen, Libya and Afghanistan.

We have been working to make our multilateral system fit for these challenges, as well as more transparent to deliver on citizens’ expectations, not least by fully supporting reforms to modernise the United Nations and improve the functioning of the World Trade Organization.

It is our collective responsibility to work towards a more peaceful, secure and prosperous world for present and future generations. The EU, together with its member states, will continue to strengthen partnerships, to uphold and promote international law and fundamental rights, to support peace and democracy, to stand side-by-side with people in need all over the world. We will continue to be a principled, reliable, consistent and cooperative global player, a point of reference for multilateralism.